Month: May 2009

The Riverdale Press: Muslims are quick to condemn terrorist attemptMuslims are quick to condemn terrorist attemptBy Kate PastorWhen Khalid Isa heard about the attempted bombing of Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center, his first thought was to hope it wasn’t the work of Arabs.The American-born Palestinian owner of Sqweez Juice Bar & Grill on West 238th Street between Waldo and Greystone avenues got little relief, however, from learning the alleged terrorists identified themselves as Muslims.“It’s a misrepresentation of Islam because this is exactly what Islam tells us not to do,” said Mr. Isa, who together with other local Muslims and Jews has started a group called World Peace, One Falafel at a Time. The group is dedicated to enabling dialogue between Muslims and Jews, and ending violence between the…

CAIR Questions FBI Tactics in NY Synagogue ‘Plot’ New details of informant’s actions prompt Muslim group’s concerns (WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/26/2009) ­ A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today questioned the FBI’s tactics leading up to the arrest of four New York men for allegedly plotting to attack Jewish institutions in that state. Based on early reports of a foiled plot to bomb a synagogue and a Jewish community center and to shoot down military planes, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) initially applauded the FBI and the other law enforcement agencies that took part in the investigation. In a statement issued today, CAIR cited newly-revealed details of the case that indicate the alleged “plot” may have been based more on the financial inducements of a government…

Gujarat’s Mundra port sees import of Quran objectionable, holds back its 4,000 copies for a month | TwoCircles.netGujarat’s Mundra port sees import of Quran objectionable, holds back its 4,000 copies for a monthSubmitted by admin3 on 25 May 2009 - 11:15am. * Crime/Terrorism * Indian MuslimTwoCircles.net Staff CorrespondentAhmedabad: The 4,000 copies of the Holy Quran in Arabic script landed at the Mundra port more than a month ago but these are yet to be handed over to the consignee in Gorevali village of the Muslim dominated Banni area in the Rann of Kutch within Kutch district.The consignment along with some 500 CDs have been sent from Dubai. The copies of the Holy Quran are meant for free distribution and not for sale.This is despite the fact the consignments have been…

More On That Bogus "Terrorist" Plot in New YorkThat bogus "terrorist plot" in New York has fallen from the headlines, but its pernicious impact lingers on. My earlier piece on this story, written late last week, drew a lot of comments, and a number of people contacted me about the story, too.Here are a few updates.First, a sensible AP story puts it in perspective, emphasizing the role of the FBI's agent-provocateur who entrapped the four men now charged in the "chilling" terrorism plot: What happens to these cases after the media spotlight fades and the noise dies down? And are the snitches involved reliable? "Most of these guys don't get tried," said security analyst Bruce Schneier. "These are not criminal masterminds, they're idiots. There's huge fanfares at the arrest, and…

SIT begins probe into Zakia's complaint against Modi and his ministers | TwoCircles.netSIT begins probe into Zakia's complaint against Modi and his ministersSubmitted by admin3 on 26 May 2009 - 10:32pm. * Crime/Terrorism * Indian MuslimBy Twocircles.net Staff CorrespondentAhmedabad: The probe into the complaint filed against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in connection with the post-Godhra riots of 2002 began today with Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team(SIT) “interacting’’ with Zakia Jafri and Teesta Setalvad.The probe was ordered by the Supreme Court through its order on April 27 this year on a petition filed by Zakia, widow of slain former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri. The ex-MP was among 69 Muslims brutally murdered in the Gulberg Society on February 28, 2002, during the statewide anti-Muslim riots.Speaking to mediapersons, SIT chief…

Four months on, CBI yet to file charge sheet in Hari Masjid police firing case | TwoCircles.netFour months on, CBI yet to file charge sheet in Hari Masjid police firing caseSubmitted by admin4 on 26 May 2009 - 8:01pm. * Indian MuslimBy TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,Mumbai: It has been about four months since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took the charge of the Hari Masjid firing case but it did not submit the charge sheet yet. While taking the case in their hand in February this year, after the intervention of the Bombay High Court, the central government agency had expressed confidence to file the charge sheet within 15 days.The CBI has made no progress in the case except recording the statement of the petitioner Farooq Mapkar, says a report…

Sri Lanka Breaking News-Daily Mirror OnlineMuslim Resistance to LTTE in East First Major Obstacle to Eelam By M. M. Zuhair, P.C. Former Member of ParliamentMuslims across the island joined in the national celebrations that marked the end of three decades of war, culminating in the liberation of the brutalized Tamils, Muslims, and Sinhalese of the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Indeed, the end of Velupillai Prabakaran, signifies the liberation of the entire country, nearly 504 years after the Portuguese invasion of Sri Lanka in 1505. Mosques, Muslim homes and businesses joined the rest of the country in hoisting the National Flag and saluting the armed forces.Many of them stopped their vehicles at check points and served sweets to the young soldiers on duty. I heard of many others…

Al-Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe of 1947-48 [Click here for a PDF flyer containing the text below.] What Is Al-Nakba? "Nakba" means "catastrophe" in Arabic ("al-nakba" means "the catastrophe"). Throughout the Arab world, the word is used to refer to the devastation of Palestinian society and the dispossession of the Palestinian people resulting from the ethnic cleansing conducted by Zionist forces during 1947-48. What Is Nakba Day? The most important date on the Palestinian calendar, Nakba Day is observed throughout the world on May 15. This is a time to learn about the history of Palestine and of Palestinians, and to remember the tragedy inflicted on the Palestinian people in 1947-48, which has yet to be rectified. Nakba Day is also an occasion to celebrate the continued vitality of Palestinian culture…

The Island-FeaturesTHAT ORGY OF JUNK LOANSintroduce ethical Islamic BankingBy K. GodageThe current spate of financial scandals reminded me of the orgy of junk loans that had been given by the Peoples Bank in the period (if my recollection is right) 1992-93. I wonder as to whether any of that public money was recovered. Subsequently we had the Pramuka Bank scandal and three other scams including perhaps one of the biggest in the world have surfaced. As a concerned citizen, I am certain that I speak for thousands, we would like the Central Bank to inform us as to the action taken against those who obtained ‘junk loans’ and defaulted and also what action has been taken against those involved in the Pramuka affair?In many respects the Central Bank has failed…

A Woman in the Muslim Brotherhood | Jacksonville.comA Woman in the Muslim BrotherhoodSubmitted by t.nicole.hernandez on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 21:03.The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt would give more freedom for all aspects of Egyptian society, including women, if the movement achieved power in the country, a female member of the group said.Hiba, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The 28-year-old said she joined the party nine years ago because the party's plans include social as well as religious and political concerns. Although the Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928, it remains banned in Egypt. Because of its illegal status in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood is not recognized by the U.S. government, although it is not listed as a terrorist organization.While the…